Twenty-one startups battled it out at Raintree Cambodia on April 25, vying for the top five positions at the inaugural TOP100 Cambodia Qualifiers 2018.

Here are your five winners:

Judges Choice: Goama

Goama heralds their business plan as being the NETFLIX of games in developing countries. The application houses over 400 games, offers digital payments and games from some of the world’s top game developers.

Fan Favourite: Spare

Spare is a service that rents both indoor and outdoor real estate and working spaces for short-term usage.

Front Runner: Demine Robotics

With an estimated 4 to 6 million landmines in Cambodia, Demine Robotics is a startup that has created a battery-powered robot to remove landmines with just the use of a remote control.

Front Runner: BookMeBus

BookMeBus is a startup bus ticket buying system in Cambodia. With bus being the main aid of transport across provinces, BookMeBus is an online ticketing portal that provides information on bus companies’ departure schedules and other information. Customers can use e-tickets and m-tickets alongside a variety of payment options, including Pi Pay.

Front Runner: CamboTicket

CamboTicket aims to make booking of transportation tickets in the Mekong region easier and more accessible. The online ticketing startup gives customers real-time updates on bus seat availability, and strives to make booking simple and efficient.

Soeun Tharith, Co-Founder of Spare said, “I am thrilled to be voted as the Fan Favorite. Getting the chance to share our business ideas to investors internationally will definitely broaden our networks overseas, as well as possibly gain financial support and recognition.”

The event at Raintree Cambodia was the first time that TOP100 APAC programme had taken place in the Kingdom, and the TOP100 Cambodia Qualifiers left a lasting impression on many investors and audience members.

Mohan Belani, CEO and Co-Founder at e27 said, “We were really impressed with all the pitches today. They certainly represent the immense potential that Cambodia has in the startup scene. Besides being part of the TOP100 APAC Program, I am sure the winners will attract interest from many investors during Echelon that can bring a lot of advantages to their business and customers.”

Powered by e27 and presented by WeWork, the largest global network of workspaces, the TOP100 is an annual program that provides funding opportunities and networking connections for early-stage tech startups in Asia. Here in Cambodia, the program was sponsored by Smart Axiata, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) and the National Institute of Posts, Telecoms & ICT (NIPTICT), and was felt by all involved to be the first of many steps to opening the door to opportunities for startups in Cambodia.

Smart Axiata CEO Thomas Hundt said, “Smart is honored to partner with e27 on this programme that builds on the many initiatives that we have carried out to develop the Kingdom’s vibrant local startup ecosystem. Programmes such as this with opportunities for international exposure will certainly provide these promising startups impetus to move to the next level.”

The five winners will now go forward to the Echelon Asia Summit 2018 in Singapore on June 28 and 29, where they will receive exclusive access to workshops and networking events happening across Asia Pacific (APAC), a travel stipend to attend the TOP100 tour and get a booth at the Echelon Asia Summit 2018.

In the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Kan Channmeta, Secretary of State of the MPTC, said, “The TOP100 programme is in line with the Royal Government’s increased focus of nurturing and promoting startups as part of the future digital economy. I’m delighted that Smart has been a strong partner of MPTC and NIPTICT in creating new opportunities and possibilities for the Cambodian startup space.”

Different from other qualifiers happening in 23 other APAC countries, in the morning the Cambodian event offered attendees valuable insights from prominent figures from venture capital, corporates, government and public policy backgrounds.

In addition to the five winners, 16 other startups participated in the afternoon pitching:

CryptoAsia

CryptoAsia is an online payment platform that enables businesses to receive payments in Bitcoin and convert it into U.S. dollars

Clik!

Clik! is a FinTech startup which creates a product that utilises an mPOS payment aggregator and International Payment Scheme cards

Bayonia

Bayonia is a hotel booking platform for hotels based in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and for every booking, 2000Riel ($0.50) per room per night is donated to help support paediatric hospitals in Siem Reap

KHhits

KHhits aims to establish a ranking chart for Cambodian music using data mining technology, where fans can enjoy popular music with the intent of collecting valuable information about music trends, demographics and other kinds of data for the Cambodian market

Healthlogo

Healthlogo is a mobile app that allows people to access trustworthy health information, services, products and routine tips

Last2Ticket Asia

Last2Ticket Asia provides ticketing and reservation services, online or at the box office, in a fast, easy and secure way, right up to the last minute

Sousdey Cambodia

Sousdey Cambodia provides chatbot solutions for Facebook messenger and gives access to a messaging and analytic platform for listing all prospects into a social CRM

Infinifab

Infinifab is a cloud service with AR application that empowers makers to access a 3D printer through individualised QR codes

The DApact

The DApact has developed a blockchain framework for international development aid operations in low-income countries, aiming to improve fund traceability and efficiency through decentralised origination software, and a network of local merchants securing blockchain-to-real world interactions

EduQuest Hub

EduQuest Hub is an educational information portal about educational institutes, schools and university programmes in Cambodia

People and People

People and People focuses on the social nature of humans and the way we communicate with one another in this digital era through exploring different cultures with a beautiful UI application

Wapatoa

Wapatoa is a digital collaborative platform that empowers users to share content on cultural, societal issues and personal development

Reservo

Reservo is a restaurant reservation app to find the best restaurants and multiple additional services in the vicinity

MustAir manufactures and distributes pollution masks with filtration technology. In collaboration with Peace Bridges Organization, a Cambodian based NGO, a tree is planted in the Prey Lang forest for each mask sold.

DNAK AI Hotel

DNAK AI Hotel allows guest to stay with their AI butler in a hotel located in Phnom Penh. Guests can look forward to VR games, films and other content created by Cambodian artists.

Co-organised by Geeks in Cambodia, we are very proud of all the startups who joined the sometimes fierce competition and pitching session — well done all!

It was very positive to see the range of services and goods on display, and we are confident that the event helped the participating entrepreneurs to gain more brand recognition and triggered fruitful business opportunities in the future.

Geeks in Cambodia and Startup Cambodia will join Echelon Asia Summit in Singapore on June 28th-29th to stand behind our startups during the TOP100 Fight Club. Pitching to an audience consisting of investors, corporates, fellow startups, and the wider tech community, Wednesday’s winners stand a chance of winning at this prestigious startup competition.